I work in retail (not walmart) and it's the same everywhere. I fucking hate it. It's literally ruined Christmas for me because I have to stare at the stuff for 6 months of the year (it comes in August and doesn't all trickle out until February). The Xmas stuff actually starts to slowly appear at the end of August if you're really looking. By the last week in September, it's taken over stores (not only where I work, but I've seen the same at 2 other stores as well). Thanksgiving no longer exists and Halloween is long over by now; it had about a week to it's self in August before the Xmas shit starting pushing it out. It seems to come earlier every year. I try to avoid looking at all that crap when I work, but yesterday I was right in the middle of it all. I had a number of customers complaining about it, but some people must be buying this shit this early if it keeps coming so early. Either that or it's a marketing tactic to make people buy other shit for gifts early.

People actually stay home for Thanksgiving though. At least where I live they do.

LOL, not anymore! A few years ago, K-Mart started opening up on Thanksgiving day, and, guess what? Now tons of stores have followed their lead. Wal Mart is open all day on Thanksgiving, among many other stores (so far Target and Best Buy have not followed).

Hell, it's only a matter of time before stores start opening up Christmas night for those who want to get started early on their returns and/or spend gift cards.

On a side note, I initially thought this thread was going to be about trying to get your Christmas shopping done on time, and I was going to gloat about how I always try to have all my shopping done by Thanksgiving (and usually do). This year I might be done by Halloween.

I was in the Phillipeans during October and the outlets already had Christmas decorations and ads set up. My co-worker then pointed out a day or two after that it's the only time in the year when people get new things, kids to get new shoes and clothes, whatever have you. I can see where that comes from

Our ship is celebrating another Christmas party this year, of course fine go ahead...... but with 60,000$ in prizes, all useless shit I do not need.

Merry fucking christmas

Apparently Christmas for me is all over the place from delicate nostalgia, to bitter anger, then giving up and accepting it again. At least we wish each other luck and happiness even if it lasts about a week. It's about what you can get now, even if it's short term lasting.